UNIO Enterprise Demonstrates Hybrid Connectivity Breakthrough for Inland Waterway Transport at ReNEW Final Conference

Ghent, Belgium – June 25, 2025 – UNIO Enterprise has successfully brought its hybrid 5G + satellite connectivity solution, UNIO Move, into the maritime sector for the first time. As part of the ReNEW Waterways final conference and live demonstration of the Ghent Living Lab, UNIO enabled real-time teleoperation aboard an inland vessel, marking a major milestone in the company’s expansion into the smart shipping and inland waterway logistics market.

At the heart of the demonstration was SEAFAR’s remote vessel control platform, which relies on seamless, ultra-reliable connectivity to enable safe and efficient teleoperations. UNIO Move powered this real-time control aboard the Avatar III, an advanced inland waterway vessel, showcasing how connectivity infrastructure can enable the transition toward autonomous and low-emission logistics.

This milestone event took place within the framework of ReNEW, a Horizon Europe project uniting 24 partners from 11 countries to modernise and decarbonise inland waterway transport (IWT). From digital twins to remote operations, ReNEW aims to deliver a smart, green, and climate-resilient IWT system for Europe.

By enabling live control of the vessel’s smart terminal, UNIO Move demonstrated its ability to bridge today’s fragmented logistics systems with tomorrow’s fully integrated and intelligent fleets.

Katrin Bacic, CEO of UNIO Enterprise, commented:
“This is a huge milestone for UNIO. I’m incredibly proud of our tech and commercial teams for delivering on this first-of-its-kind maritime deployment. It validates the strength of our hybrid 5G-satellite platform and shows what’s possible when advanced connectivity meets smart mobility. There is a massive untapped opportunity in maritime, especially on inland waterways, where scalable, reliable communications can unlock safer, greener logistics.”

Key Takeaways from the Ghent Demonstration:

• UNIO Move operates seamlessly on water and supports real-time remote vessel operations.

• Reliable hybrid connectivity is essential for unlocking the future of smart, autonomous shipping.

• Connected infrastructure can significantly advance the decarbonisation of urban logistics.

This successful demonstration marks the beginning of UNIO Enterprise’s entry into the maritime connectivity sector, with further developments planned as part of its broader vision to transform mobility through seamless, space-enabled networks.

About UNIO Enterprise
Founded in Munich in 2022, UNIO Enterprise is a German newspace startup delivering hybrid 5G and satellite connectivity for the mobility sector, enabling uninterrupted communication for vehicles across land, sea, and air. 

About ReNEW
ReNEW (Resilient, Smart and Green Inland Waterway Transport System) is a Horizon Europe project that aims to future-proof Europe’s inland waterways by integrating innovation and sustainability across the IWT value chain.

For more information, visit: https://renew-waterways.eu